Batavia Defendant To Testify Against Peers In Drug Homicide Case

BATAVIA, IL — A Batavia man who was charged in a 2017 drug homicide along with three other defendants has agreed to testify against his peers. Neal R. Crowder, 27, of the 1400 block of Fagan Ct., entered a guilty plea Friday for unlawful possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, Daily Herald reports.

Crowder was sentenced to 7 years in prison as a result of his guilty plea, but Kane County Judge John Barsanti recommended him for a six-month boot camp as an alternative, according to Daily Herald. He still faces a drug-induced homicide charge if he does not go through with his agreement to testify against the other co-defendants.

Crowder was arrested in 2017 along with Joseph Tortorella, 26, of the 1400 block of Fagan Ct., Batavia, Eric P. Anthony, 21, of St. Charles, and Johnny L. Williams, 56, of St. Charles in connection with the death of Ashley Mastel, 21.

Mastel, a graduate of Batavia High School, was found dead at her Sugar Grove home on Feb. 20, 2017, one day after the four men allegedly provided her with illegal narcotics. The Kane County Coroner ruled that Mastel died of fentanyl intoxication.

>>Related: 4 Charged With Drug-Induced Homicide In Overdose Of Woman, 21

Tortorella is set to appear in court on Feb. 16, Anthony on March 9, and Williams on March 16, according to the Kane County State's Attorney's Office.

>>Image via Kane County Sheriff's Office

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